Felony

In addition to Aggravated Murder and Murder, there are 5 degrees of felonies, ranging from a Felony of the Fifth Degree, which is the least serious felony charge, up to a Felony of the First Degree, which is the most serious charge short of murder. The potential prison terms for these felonies are as follows:

F1: 3 to 11 years in prison

F2: 2 to 8 years in prison

F3: 9 months to 5 years

F4: 6 to 18 months incarceration

F5: 6 to 12 months incarceration

An Aggravated Murder committed under certain circumstances can be punished by a death sentence or it may result in the lesser penalties of a life sentence without possibility of parole or with parole possible after serving 30, 25, or 20 years. Without death penalty specifications, Aggravated Murder may result in a sentence of life without the possibility of parole or with parole possible after serving a period of 30, 25, or 20 years of imprisonment. The possible sentence on a Murder conviction is 15 years to life imprisonment.

Judges must review many factors in rendering a decision to incarcerate an offender. In general, convicted felony offenders may be sentenced to prison or community control, which may include confinement in the Ashtabula County Jail followed by other sanctions.